Aretha Franklin‘s long-shelved Amazing Grace documentary will finally be unwrapped this year. Following its debut at the DOC NYC festival last November, the 1972 gospel concert is heading to the silver screen this spring.
According to reports, Neon and Time will screen the concert documentary in select New York and Los Angeles cinemas on April 5, before expanding it to theaters across the country later this year.
The film-turned-album captures the live recording of Franklin’s two-night church event at New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles. The picture was originally scheduled to be released along with Franklin’s album of the same title but there were technical issues, along with legal battles, that halted its release.
“Amazing Grace is a powerful film that captures the talent and spirit of Aretha Franklin,” said Time editor in chief and CEO Edward Felsenthal. “We are thrilled to be involved in this project as we continue to build and expand TIME’s focus on longform films.”
Tickets for the Amazing Grace will be available on the premiere date. Additional information is available on the documentary’s official website.
Prior to the theatrical release, the album will be released as on vinyl. Scheduled to hit shelves on March 22, Franklin’s best-selling record to date will include four, 180-gram LPs that includes performances of “Precious Memories, “What A Friend We Have in Jesus,” “How I Got Over,” and many more church standards.
On March 10, Patti LaBelle, Alicia Keys, Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, SZA and more will tribute the Queen of Soul on Aretha: A Grammy Tribute to the Queen of Soul. Hosted by Tyler Perry, the two-hour special will air on CBS. The special was originally recorded in mid-January.
Watch the new trailer for Amazing Grace: The Movie below.
